At Penketh South, we are committed to keeping the children in our care, safe. In today’s digital world, we are aware of the fantastic opportunities educationally and otherwise that the internet brings. However, we are also extremely aware and mindful of the potential risks that children may face when they access the internet using the technology that is at their fingertips on a day-to-day basis.
Parental Support
Children have regular Online safety training in our school, which is delivered and reinforced during computing lessons and whenever they are using technology in school. Our school takes part in the annual UK Safer Internet Day events, which occur on the second Tuesday in February each year. More information about Safer Internet can be found here.
There are lots of ways in which you can help your child to stay safe online. The internet is an incredibly useful resource, and we want our young learners to be able to use it safely. The children receive regular talks from the local PCSOs and from workshops by the NSPCC. More information for parents from the NSPCC can be found here
Internet Matters is also a good source of support for parents and can be accesses here
If you ever want help or advice about how to stay safe online, about privacy settings or how to report concerns, please do not hesitate to come into school and talk to your child’s class teacher, our Computing Lead – Miss Wright, PSHE Lead – Mrs Charlton or any of the Safe and Sound Team via the school office. We will always do our best to help.
Disconnect to Reconnect
Disconnect to Reconnect is a campaign that has been spearheaded by Birchwood School, and we are proud to pledge our commitment to this worthwhile cause. The campaign is around raising awareness of the impact of social media and smartphones on children and young people. This is a rising concern due to the prevalence of smartphones and devices, which are increasingly exposing children to various risks, such as inappropriate content, excessive screen time, and other significant safeguarding issues.
One aspect of the campaign is highlighting potential solutions to families, enabling you to tackle these issues and support, including the Parent Shield network and Qustodio Apps. These resources offer tools and support to help parents monitor and manage their children’s online activities, ensuring a safer and healthier digital environment for our families and to support the young people in Warrington, focusing on the importance of safeguarding our children’s future by promoting responsible and balanced technology use.
Parents can find out more about the Warrington Online Safety Hub and register free for the Qustodio App here
Disconnect to Reconnect are also asking Warrington parents to Pledge to Protect, requesting as many of you as possible to pledge that your child won’t have access to social media until they are 13 and pledge to have parental controls on your child’s phone until 16. There is no commission or incentive for the campaign, and there are many more alternatives on the market – the campaign is just highlighting the type of things that are out there. Please click here to pledge or follow the campaign here. Your participation and engagement would be appreciated so we can ensure that we are giving our children every chance and every support that they need to have a happy and healthy future.
